Push button door handle adapted for use on doors of automobiles, refrigerators and the like



Sept. 24, 1957 G. v. JAKEWAY 2,807,492

PUSH BUTTON DOO ANDLE ADAPT FOR USE ON DOORS OF AUTOMOBIL REFRIGERA S AND THE LIKE Filed June 11, 1954 4 4/ Z fg f f ,f5

IN V EN TOR.

Geref/d 'M JUA/@amy United States Patent() Gerald V. .laken/ay, Grand Rapids, Mich., assigner te Keeler Brass Company, Grand Rapids, Mich., a coi. poration of Michigan Application June 11, 1954, Serial No. 436,053 9 Claims. (Cl. 292-336.3)-

This invention relates to improvements in a push button door handle adapted for use on doors of automobiles, refrigerators and the like.

The main objects of this invention are:

First, to provide a push button door handle comprising an integral grip and socket member well adapted to be formed as an integral die casing and a latch actuating push button assembly which may be assembled as a unit and readily inserted into and removed from the socket.

Second, to provide a structure of this character in which no screws or threaded members are required for securing the push button assembly in the socketfin the handle body designed to receive the same.

Third, to provide a structure having these advantages, which is very economical in its parts and in the assembly thereof.

Fourth, to provide a door handle having these several advantages, which may be quickly and easily assembled as a unit to a door.

Objects relating to details and economies of the invention will appear from the description to follow. The invention is defined and pointed out in the claims.

A preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which:

Fig. l is a fragmentary View partially in section of a door handle embodying the invention mounted upon an automobile door, the parts of the door illustrated and a latch to be operated being shown conventionally.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged view of the handle on a line corresponding to line 2-2 of Fig. 1, a detent releasing tool being illustrated in position to be actuated to disengage the holder member detent, a second tool being indicated by dotted lines positioned to engage the button holder member to facilitate the removal thereof from the handle socket.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary view corresponding to that of Fig. 2, illustrating the tool in detent releasing position.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary inside view of the handle with the push button holder removed from the socket.

Fig. 5 is an inside elevational view ofthe holder and push button assembly removed from the socket.

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary view in section on a line corresponding to line 6 6 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary View on a line corresponding to'line 7-7 of Fig. 2.

In the accompanying drawing, 1 represents an automobile door, the outer panel 2 of which has anoutwardly curved portion 3. The latch is generally indicated by the numeral 4 and is provided with an actuating member 41.

The particular handle illustrated is designed to be mounted on a door having its outer panel provided with a curved portion such as is shown at 3. This is illustrated only because the commercial handle illustrated is designed for mounting on such a door.

The handle comprises a grip portion 5, the rear end of which is conformed to t the portion 3 of the door and secured thereto as by n ieansy of an attaching screw or "ice element conventionally indicated at 6. The handle terminates at its other end in a head member 7 having a socket 8 therein open at its inner and outer ends. This socket has an inwardly facing annular shoulder 9 adjacent its outer end. The socket isk desirably generally cylindrical in formas is illustrated and is provided with opposed internal longitudinal grooves 10. The wall of the socket is provided with a keeper-11 dened by the recess 12 in the wall of the socket. A longitudinal groove 13 opens into this recess 12 and at lthe inner end of the socket.

The push button assembly comprises a cupped holder member 14 desirably formed as a sheet metal stamping and of such dimensions as to slidably fit within the socket with its inner end edge 15 abutting the shoulder 9.

The holder member is provided with longitudinal ribs 16 which slidably tit within the grooves 10, thus preventing rotative movement of the holder member Within the socket and insuring that the holder member be inserted in the socket in correct position. The holder member is provided with a rearwardly facing springable detent 17 defined by the V-shaped slot 18 in the wall of the holder member. The tip 19 of the detent is turned angularly outward so that when the holder member is inserted in the socket the detent engages the keeper 11, retaining the holder member within the socket. The detent may be released by an awl-like tool 20 having a beveled end 21 which when the tool 20 is inserted deflects the detent inwardly to disengage it from the coacting keeper and the holder member mayy then be withdrawn. However,` a nail or the like may be used for this purpose. v

The wall of the socket is' notched at 22 to provide a water drain. `This notch 22 also enables the engagement ofthe inner end of the holder member by a tool as indicated by dotted lines at 23 to pry or force the holder member from the socket. rThis is a desirable feature in that the holder member is preferably a close sliding fit in the socket to prevent' any vibration or rattle between the member and its socket. A nail may also be usedl for this purpose. Y v v The holder member is provided with a stem guide 24 which is mounted on the bottom thereof and adapted to slidably receive the stem 25 of they push button 26. The stem 25 hasv an adjustable latch engaging4 tappet 27 threaded therein and secured in its adjusted position by means of the lock nut 28. The coil spring 29 is seated on the bottom of the holder member and engages the push button to bias it outwardly. The lock nut 28 coacts as a stop with the outer end of the stem guide and also serves to retain the push button holder and its biasing spring as an assembled unit.

The push button is provided with an outturned flange 30 which when the push button is in projected positionengages the combined buffer and sealing gasket 31 which is seated on the shoulder 9. The outer end of the socket is desirably beveled outwardly at 32 for proper clearance for'the push button and the finger of the operator, and also this acts to dellectwater outwardly. The combined gasket and cushioning member, however, alsoy acts to pre-r vent water entering the holder and its acts to, prevent or minimize noise in operating the push button or as the result of vibrations. A threaded stud 33 projects from the handle to receive a nut 34. It will be noted that in the embodiment illustrated in the inner ends` 35 of Vthe walls of the socket are inclined and curved tofit the surface Vto which the handle is secured. f, V

It is desired to point out that while the applicants handle is not likely to become injured or inetective,-should that happen the push ybutton assembly can be readily removed. 1 Also, this arrangement of the parts permits the ready assemblingl ofthe push button assembly and the die.

cast body so that it may be shipped independently and readily assembled for mounting on a door. The threaded studs 6 and 33 may be cast into the die casting.

.l have illustrated .and described a highly practical commercialembodiment of my invention. I :have not attempted to` illustrate other modifications and adaptations as it is lbelieved `that this disclosure will enable those skilled'in the art to embody,v or adapt my invention as may be desired. y

Having thus described my invention, Vwhat I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

l. In combination, a door handle having a socket open at its ends, a `keeper dened by an internal recess in the wallof`said socket, there being an internal groove extendingfrorn the inner end of said socket and opening to saidkeeper defining recess and adapted to receive a detentdisengaging tord, a push button assembly cornprising a holder memberslidable within said socket, said holder member having a detent engaging said keeper when the holder member is in seated position within the socket, a push button stem guide mounted on said holder member, a push button provided with -a latch actuating stern slidable in said guide, and a push button biasing spring carried by said holder member.

` 2. In combination, a door handle having a socket open at its ends, a keeper defined by an internal recess in the wall of said socket, there being an internal groove extending lfrom the inner end `of saidV socket and opening to `said keeper defining recess and adapted to receive a detent disengaging tool, a push button assembly comprising a holder member slidable within said socket, said holder member having a detent engaging said keeper when the holder member is in seated position within the socket, said socket having an opening in the wall thereof through which a tool may be engaged `with 4the holder member to facilitate removal thereof: from. the socket when said detent is disengagema push button stem guide mounted on said holder member, a push button provided `with a latchactuating stem slidable in said guide, and a push button biasing spring carried by saidfholder member.

, 3.` The combination with a door handle having a socket open at its inner and outer ends and internally shouldered at its outer end, a push button assembly comprising an outwardly facing cup shaped holder member disposed within saidsocket 'with its outer end in engagement with said shoulder thereof, said holder member slidably fitting within said socket member and insertable and removable from the inner end thereof, said holder member having a springable `detent integral with `the/wall thereof, said socket having .a keeper with which said detent engages when the holder member isl seated within the socket, a push button stem guide on the `bottom of saidholder member, a push `button reciprocable within said holder member and provided with a latch actuating stem slida'ble in said guide, said push button having an outturned flange at its inner end, an annular cushioning and gasket member disposed ony the shoulder of said socket within said holder member and with `which the push button flange coacts when the push button is in projected position, a coiled push button biasing spring disposed around said stem in thrust engagement with the push button and supported engagement with the inner end of said holder memben: and a removable stop on said stem guide disposed on the outer side of said holder member and maintaining the pushjbutton and holder member in assembled relation as a unitto fbe inserted into and removed from saidhandle socketas a unit.

4. The combination with a door handle having a socket open at its inner and outer ends and internally shouldered at its outer end, a push button assembly comprising an outwardly `facing cup shaped holder member disposed within said socket, said iholder member slidably fitting within said socket memberand insertable and removable from the inner Vendthereof, said holder member having a Aspringable detent :integral with the -wall thereof, -said socket havingua `keeper with which said `detent engages i when the holder `member is seated within the socket, a push button stem guide on the bottom of said holder member, a push button reciprocable within said holder member and provided with a latch actuating stem slidable in said guide, a coiled push button biasing spring disposed around said stem in thrust engagement with the push button and supported engagement with the inner end of said holder member, and a removable stop on said stem guide `disposed on the outer side -of said holder member and maintaining the push button and holder member in assembled relation as a unit to be inserted into and removed from said handle socket as a unit.

5. The combination with a door handle having an open ended socket, a push `button assembly comprising an outwardly facing holder member closed at its inner end disposed within said socket, said holder member slid` ably fitting within said socket member and insertable and removable from the inner end thereof, said socket having an inwardly projecting stop with which said holder member engages when Vit is seated in the socket, said holder member having a springable dent `intermediate the ends thereof, said socket having a keeper with which t said detent springably engages when the holder member is seated within the socket, a push button reciprocable within said holder member to project from the outer end thereof and provided with a latch actuating stem projecting through the inner end of said holder member, a push button biasing spring supportedly arranged within said holder member, said stern having a removable stop thereon disposed on the outer side of said holder member and maintaining the push button and holder member in assembled `unitary relation for insertion into and removal from said handle socket as an assembled unit.

6. The combination with a door handle having an open ended socket, a push button assembly comprising an outwardly facingholder member closed at its inner end disposed within said socket, said holder member sildably fitting within said socket member and insertable and removable from the inner end thereof said socket having an inwardly projecting stop with which said holder member engages when it is seated in the socket, said holder member having a detent intermediate the ends thereof, said socket having a keeper with which said detent engages when the holder member is seated within the socket, a push -button reciprocable within said holder member to project from `the outer end thereof and provided with a latch actuating stem projecting through the inner end of said holder member, a push button biasing spring supportedly arranged within said holder member, said stem having a stop thereon disposed on the outer side of said holder `member and maintaining the push button and holder'member in assembled unitary relation for insertion into and removal from said handle socket as an assembled unit.

7. In combination, a door handle having a generally cylindrical socket open at its outer and inner ends and having an internal shoulder adjacent its outer end, the wall of the socket having an internal groove extending longitudinally thereof and opening at its inner end, a keeper defined by an internal recess in the wall of the socket and spaced from the inner end thereof, and a second longitudinal groove `extending from the inner end of the socket and opening to said keeper defining recess `and adapted to receive a detent discngaging tool, a push button assembly ,comprising an outwardly facing cupped holder slidably fitting within said socket to abuttingly engage said shoulder thereof and Vhaving a longitudinal rib slidably .engaging ,said first named groove, said holder member `having a rearwardly facing springable detent struck from the iside wall thereof and normally projecting therefrom for springable .engagement with said keeper in said socket wall when the holder member is inserted therein with its fouter end abutting `engagement with `said shoulder thereof, a push button stem guide mounted on the rear wall of said holder member, a push button having a flange on its outer end provided with a latch actuating stem reciprocable in said guide, a coiled push button biasing spring disposed around said guide in supported engagement with the rear wall of said holder member and in thrust engagement with said push button, and a gasket member disposed on said shoulder in said socket, said push button having a fiange coating with said gasket member when the push button is projected by said spring.

8. In combination, a door handle having a generally cylindrical socket open at its outer and inner ends and having an internal shoulder adjacent its outer end, the wall of the socket having an internal groove extending longitudinally thereof and opening at its inner end, a keeper defined by an internal recess in the wall of the socket and spaced from the inner end thereof, and a second longitudinal groove extending from the inner end of the socket and opening to said keeper defining recess and adapted to receive a detent disengaging tool, a push button assembly comprising an outwardly facing cupped holder member slidably fitting within said socket to abuttingly engage said shoulder thereof and having a longitudinal rib slidably engaging said first named groove, said holder member having a rearwardly facing springable detent struck from the side wall thereof and normally projecting therefrom for springable engagement with said keeper in said socket wall when the holder member is inserted therein with its outer end in abutting engagement with said yshoulder thereof, a push button stem guide mounted on the rear wall of said holder member, a push button having a flange on its outer end provided with a latch actuating stem reciprocable in said guide, a coiled push button biasing spring disposed around said guide in supported engagement with the rear wall of said holder member and in thrust engagement with said push button. v

9. In combination, a door handle having a generally cylindrical socket open at its outer and inner ends and having an internal shoulder adjacent its outer end, the Wall of the socket having an internal groove extending 6. longitudinally thereof and opening at its inner end, a keeper defined by an internal recess in the wall of the socket and spaced from the inner end thereof, and a second longitudinal groove extending from the inner end of the socket and opening to said keeper defining recess and adapted to receive a Vdetent disengaging tool, a push button assembly comprising an outwardly facing cupped holder member slidably fitting within said socket to abuttingly engage said shoulder thereof and having a longitudinal rib slidably engaging said first named groove, said holder member having a rearwardly facing springable detent struck from the side wall thereof and normally projecting therefrom for springable engagement with said keeper in said socket wall when the holder member is inserted therein with its outer end in abutting engagement with said shoulder thereof, said socket also having van opening in the wall thereof through which a tool may be engaged with the inner end of the holder member to facilitate the removal thereof from the socket when said detent is disengaged from said keeper, a push button stem guide mounted on the rear wall of said holder member, a push buttonfhaving a flange on its outer end provided with a latch actuating stem reciprocable in said guide, a coiled push button biasing spring disposed around said guide in supported engagement with the rear wall of said holder member and in thrust engagement with said push button.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,797,725 Jacobi Mar. 24, 1931 2,113,535 Cuno et al. Apr. 5, 1938 2,150,639 Simon Mar. 14, 1939 2,476,458 Schoepe July 19, 1949 2,604,346 Allen July 22, 1952 2,605,630 Keeler Aug. 5, 1952 2,660,046 Jacobi Nov. 24, 1953 2,683,978 Jacobi July 20, 19,54 

